The time was when visitors to Phang Nga province were confined to day trippers from Phuket who came by bus or boat to see the fantastic scenery of Phang Nga Bay Although that's still mostly true, there is at least one type of visitor who chooses to stay in Phang Nga province: divers.

About an hour's drive from Phuket airport is the Khao Lak-Lamru National Park. Although relatively unknown, even among Thais, the beach here was home to several bungalows, hotels and resorts. The main reason these are all here is the Similan Islands, about 60 kilometers off the coast.

The Similans are a group of eight islands that Skin Diving magazine rated among the ten best places on earth. Even for non divers, the islands, as well as the mainland, are home to some beautiful scenery.

Further to the north are the Surin islands, also very highly rated dive spots.

Many of the resorts and other businesses along Khao Lak beach were wiped out by the December 2004 tsunami. This was probably the hardest hit area of the Thai coast by the disaster. Many businesses have since been rebuilt and re-opened, although it is probably fair to say that things are not yet at the level they once were.

The Similan Islands

is a group of islands in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Phang Nga Province , southern Thailand . It is a national park which was established in 1982 .

Similan Islands National Park was established after the one-year exploration by the Foresty department. The park is the archipelago consisting of nine islands which are Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang (two adjoining islands), Ko Payan, Ko Payang, and Ko Huyong. Recently, the park was expanded to included two remoted islands which are Ko Bon and Ko Tachai. The Similans are situated 70 kilometres from Phang Nga town. "Similan" is a Yawi word which means "nine". Similan is one of the most famous diving sites in Thailand.

Ko Similan
Similan Island is the largest island. It has the average depth of 60 feet. Underwater is full of rock formations and coral reefs in several shapes and forms such as deer, leaf, brain, and mushroom.

Above the water are found many diverse species such as the Nicobar Pigeon, Mangrove Monitor Lizards and more

Ko Huyong

Ko Huyong has the longest and widest beach in the park. However, the park prohibits any tourists from landing on the island as the beach on the island is the place where turtles come to lay their eggs.